Pumps for liquids



June 21, 1966 c. RULE 3,

PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS Filed April 1, 1964 I a 1 LI 3? I L A i I FIGUREI I ll FIGURE 2 INVENTOR CLINTON RULE United States Patent 3,256,828 PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS Clinton Rule, P.0. Box 323, Beverly Farms, Mass. Filed Apr. 1, 1964, Ser. No. 356,378 8 Claims. (Cl. 103-87) This invention relates to a novel pump for liquids and in particular to an inexpensive and reliable pump particularly adapted for use in pumping water out of the bilge of a boat or basements or the like.

There are presently commercially available numerous and varying types of electric pumps that can be utilized in the bilge of a boat. Most of the available pumps, however, are either expensive or eminently unreliable, and in many cases, both. In particular, currently available pumps due to their design and construction are often inherently vulnerable to damage caused by contact of the motor or other non-water resistant components with water during submergence either purposeful or following failure of the automatic switch-0n device normally associated with a pump of this type. Moreover, most of said pumps emit a considerable and disturbing vibration which radiates the length and breadth of a small boat to the disquietude of its occupants.

The pump of the present invention, however, is constructed of few and relatively readily and inexpensively available components, is readily assembled, is particulan ly adapted to withstand the rigors of use as a bilge pump and is substantially vibration free.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present in vention to provide an improved pump for liquids.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved pump for liquids that is relatively vibration free. It is another object of this invention to provide an improved pump which is uniquelyprotected against damage resulting from the contact of non-wat'er-resistant components, such as the motor, with water.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved pump which is protected by a unique combination of air pressure and positive seals.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved pump which is more efiicient than prior art pumps having a motor of equivalent size, etc.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

Although the novel features which are characteristic of the present invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention, its objects and advantages will be better understood by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof wherein:

FIGURE 1 comprises a schematic, diagrammatic illustr-ation of one embodiment of the present invention, and

FIGURE 2 comprises a bottom view of the pump shown in FIGURE 1.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, air tight housing 1 and impeller casing 3 represent the outer limits of the present pump proper. Motor compartment 14 is formed by ap propriately positioning support member 7 within housing 1, member 7 being held in place in part by gravity and pressure from above (explained in detail hereinafter) and in part by casing 3 which is rigidly afiixed to housing 1 in any convenient manner. Motor 5, which rests upon and exerts downwardly directed pressure upon member 7, is in turn maintained in position by pressure exerted by dampener 9, a vibration isolator which is compressed between the top of motor 5'and housing 1. It is pointed out that member 7 should be positioned, and dampener 9 must be chosen sothat dampener 9 is under substantial pressure and thus exerts a substantial force against motor 5 which force tends to maintain motor 5 positioned against member 7 and member 7 positioned against casing 3. Also, due to friction between dampener 9 and motor 5, dampener 9 prevents rotation of motor 5 except under circumstances wherein motor 5 exerts a great torque which will be discussed in more detail hereinafter. Needless to say, for best results, dampener 9 should be constructed of a material that is somewhat stiff but is reversibly compressible. hard rubber has been found to be admirably suited to the task. The shape and size of dampener 9 are not normally critical although depending upon the top surface of motor 5, one particular shape and size can be more effective than another. The washer-shaped dampener illustratedin FIGURE 1 has been found to be entirely suitable normally.

Support member 7 should be fitted as precisely as is possible to the inside walls of housing 1 .without actually being in contact therewith in order to expose compartment 14 in the area between housing 1 and member 7 to as small a surface area of water as possible. Since the quantity of water that could enter compartment 14 by evaporation is directly dependent upon the surface area of the water within the space between housing 1 and member 7, it is immediately obvious that the closer member 7 is fitted to housing 1, the more the danger of damage within compartment 14 due to moisture which entered by means of evaporation is reduced.

In addition, member 7 is preferably constructed so as to extend upwardly along the inner walls of housing 1 as far as practical. Thus, projection 11 of member 7, while as shown in FIGURE 1 is only of small absolute height, said projection serves nevertheless, due to the fact that housing 1 is airtight, to prevent possible entry of water over member 7 and into motor compartment 14 until the water pressure about the pump has risen substantially. Thus, for example, in the case where projection 11 protrudes only one inch above top surface 13 of member 7,'

the water level about the pump must theoretically rise at least an additional several feet before the water level in the interface between housing 1 and member 7 could rise the additional distance represented by projection 11 and commence to flow into motor compartment 14.

The air pressure within airtight housing 1 alone is normally sufiicient to prevent entry of Water into motor compartment 14 despite submergence of the pump under several-feet of water. As additional protection, however, O-ring, or other suitable seal 16 is preferably positioned between housing 1 and member 7, normally near or at projection 11. The combination of the air pressure within housing 1 and seal 16 has been found to be extremely effective. In particular, however, seal 16 serves a second most important function of normally maintaining member 7 out of contact with housing 1 thereby contributing to the relative freedom from vibration exhibited by the present pump.

Shaft 15, the bottom end 18 of which is affixed to impeller17, passes through appropriately sized and positioned opening 19 in member 7.

Any seal(s) which substantially hinders or prevents the passage of water along the interface between shaft 15 and opening 19 can be utilized because the air pressure existing in motor compartment 14, due to the fact that housing 1 is airtight, constitutes by itself a very efifective seal. It has been found, however, that surprisingly good and reliable results are obtained when three seals 21, 23 and 25 as set forth in detail hereinafter are utilized. Thus, seals 21 and 25 preferably comprise two, line contact, flexible rubber seals with silicone grease sandwiched Patented June 21, 1966 Rubber, urethane, and in particular,

and FIGURE 2.

3 therebetween to form seal This arrangement has proven to be unexpectedlyeffective. It is believed, although I do not wish to be bound by this explanation, that the ability of flexible seals 21 and 25 to prevent leakage when the pump is relatively new, i.e untilshaft and other'components have worn in, is substantially less than is desirable. Apparently, however, the silicone grease forming seal 23 helps prevent passage of water along the interface of shaft 15 and o'pening 19 while seals 21 and 25 are wearing in. Wh'ateverthe explanation, the combination of two fiexible rubber seals with a quantity of silicone grease sandwiched therebetween has performed outstandingly. In addition, the grease forming seal, 23 lubricates and otherwise protects seal 21 until seal 25 fails substantially, thereby normally increasing the length of time seal '21 is well lubricated and accordingly before watercan enter compartment 14.

As stated previouslypimpeller casing 3 is rigidly aflixed to housing 1 in any convenient manner. The dimensions of inlet 4 and outlet- 6 are not normally critical and suitable dimensions are readily determined for a pump of any particular size, power andthe like bearing in mind the torque of the motor, impeller size and other known factors. Needless to say, however, said inlet and outlet should be designed to provide for the relatively obstructionless flow of the liquid to be pumped.

The dimensions and design of impeller 17 are, likewise, not normally critical. Thus, any standard type of impeller can be utilized, although impellers of superior design give superior results. It should also be borne in mind, however, that for most eflicient pumping, impeller 17 should clear the bottom surface of member 7 and casing 3 by as small a clearance as possible. In particular, it is pointed out that because motor 5 is maintained relatively stationary and in position by dampener 9, the extremely slight clearances without contact between impeller 17, member 7 and casing3 that are necessary for most efiicient pumpingare readily achieved.

While the design and dimensions of impeller.17 are normally not critical, most efficient operation of the pump is achieved when impeller 17 protrudes beyond casing 3 into inlet 4 as illustrated in both FIGURE 1 It has been found that depending upon the actual dimensions of impeller 17 and casing '3, the capacity of a pump is substantially increased by the use of an impeller each vane ofwhich protrudes into inlet 4 at least 8% but not more than 25% of the total diameter of 1 inlet 4.

Power can be supplied to the pump in anyconvenient manner. Preferably, however,'power is supplied by leads 27 which are directed through an opening 29 in housing 1 near the top thereof as shown in FIGURE 1. With the leads in place, care should be taken to seal the opening in order to maintain housing 1 airtight. The manner and materials used in sealing opening 29 are of course not critical.

In addition to the components discussed heretofore, a

' ing from the scope of the present invention.

pump according to the present invention should be fitted with supports 31 which are affixed to the pump in any convenient manner. Also,'as shown most clearly in FIGURE 2, a number of projections or pegs 33 or other suitable means are preferably provided about inlet 4 in order to prevent orat least impede the entrance of small stones and the like into inlet 4. Needless to say, care should be taken that said pegs not substantially impede the flow of water to inlet 4. On the other hand, for best results, pegs 33 should extend about as far as supports 31 so that all the water to enter inlet 4 will be effectively strained. It is pointed out, however, that should a pebble or other foreign obstacle that might damage impeller 17 enter inlet 4, the present pump will normally not be severely damaged because dampener 9 will under the stress exerted by the resulting great torque, allow motor 5 to rotate slightly within housing 1 thereby tending to absorb'the shock imposed bythe foreign obstacle.

The materials of construction of the various components comprising the pamper the present invention are not normally critical. Motors, impellers, electric leads, various types of seals, etc., are standard articles of commerce. Housing 1, casing 3, member 7, supports 31, etc., can be constructed of any suitable material which is resistant to water. For example, 'plasticssuch as high density'polyethylene and'polypropylene or other materials such as Inconel, stainless steel and bronze are all generally suitable depending upon the precise use to which the pump will be subjected. I

It is pointed out that one of the many advantages of the pump of the present invention resides in its facile assembly. Thus, assembly ofthe greater portion of the present pump requires only a small number of straightforward, uncomplicated steps, eg the pump is normally assembled by positioning housing 1 open end up and then seriatim placing therein dampener 9, followed by motor 5, support member 7, impeller 17 and casing 3. Casing 3 is thereafter aflixed to housing '1iin any convenient manner and the pump is largely ready for use.

Obviously, many changes can be made in the abovedescription and accompanying drawing without depart- For example, by utilizing a housing 1 of slightly greater diameter than is normally needed, projection 11 of member 7 can be extended up along the inside of housing 1 to half way point 37 of compartment '14 or even substantially to the top of housing 1 in order to provide still greater protection against the entrance of water into compartment 14. While such extension of member 7 is not normally necessary, such extension renders the pump, depending upon its size, capable of withstanding relatively enormous water pressures without danger of water entering compartment 14 via the's'pace between member 7 and housing 1. Where projection 11 is extended substantially upwardly, i.e. to half way point 37, another seal like seal 16 is preferably provided in the space between projection 11 and housing 1.

Also, while it is very much preferred that housing 1 comprise a single piece, said housing can be constructed of a number of pieces if care'is taken that the resulting housing is airtight.

Accordingly, it is intended and it should be understood that the. above description and drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

What I claim is:

1. A pump for liquids comprising an airtight housing defining all but one side of a motor compartment, a casing rigidly aflixed to the open end of said housing and defining all but one side of an impeller cavity, a support member positioned within the area defined by said casing and said housing so as to (a) form the remaining side of said motor compartment, and (b) form the remaining side of said impeller cavity, a motor. in said compartment resting upon said support member, said motor having a drive shaft extending through said support member, reversibly compressible dampening means compressed between said motor and said housing, an impeller within said impeller cavity and afiixed to said drive shaft, and an outlet and an inlet in said impeller cavity.

2.. The pump of claim 1 wherein said inlet is positioned immediately below said impeller and the blades of said impeller extend into the area circumscribed by said inlet.

3. The pump of claim 1 wherein the inlet is shielded by a plurality of pegs which are affixed to the exterior surface of said casing and about said inlet.

4. The pump of claim 1 wherein said casing is adapted to support said support member, said support member is not in contact with said housing and sealing means is positioned between said support member and said housing.

5. The pump of claim 4 wherein said sealing means References Cited by the Examiner comprises an O-ring. v i

6. The pump of claim 4 wherein said support member UNITED STATES PATENTS comprises a projecting portion which projects a sub- 2,205,747 6/1940 Klauss 103.437 stantial distance towards the top of said housing but is not 5 2,301,063 11/ 1942 Mcconaghy in contact with said housing. 2,620,151 12/ 1952 Peters l03--87 7. The pump of claim 4 wherein sealing means is ad- 2,627,816 2/1953 Kaatz et a1 10387 ditionally positioned between said support means and 3,039,780 6/1962 Nordell 277187 Said drive Shaft- 3,088,415 5/ 1963 Culleton 103-87 8. The pump of claim 7 wherein said additional sealing 10 means comprises two flexible rubber seals with a quantity ROBERT M. WALKER primary Exwminen of grease sandwiched therebetween. 

1. A PUMP FOR LIQUIDS COMPRISING AN AIRTIGHT HOUSING DEFINING ALL BUT ONE SIDE OF A MOTOR COMPARTMENT, A CASING RIGIDLY AFFIXED TO THE OPEN END OF SAID HOUSING AND DEFINING ALL BUT ONE SIDE OF AN IMPELLER CAVITY, A SUPPORT MEMBER POSITIONED WITHIN THE AREA DEFINED BY SAID CASING AND SAID HOUSING SO AS TO (A) FORM THE REMAINING SIDE OF SAID MOTOR COMPARTMENT, AND (B) FORM THE REMAINING SIDE OF SAID IMPELLER CAVITY, A MOTOR IN SAID COMPARTMENT RESTING UPON SAID SUPPORT MEMBER, SAID MOTOR HAVING A DRIVE SHAFT EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SUPPORT MEMBER, REVERSIBLY COMPRESSIBLE DAMPENING MEANS COMPRESSED BETWEEN SAID MOTOR AND SAID HOUSING, AN IMPELLER WITHIN SAID IMPELLER CAVITY AND AFFIXED TO SAID DRIVE SHAFT, AND AN OUTLET AND AN INLET IN SAID IMPELLER CAVITY. 